HERO'S WELCOME

Venezuelan fencer Ruben Limardo bites his gold medal during a welcoming caravan in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Aug. 6, 2012. Limardo received a hero's welcome as he returned home Monday after winning a gold medal at the London Olympics. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
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Venezuelan fencer Ruben Limardo bites his gold medal during a welcoming caravan in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Aug. 6, 2012. Limardo received a hero's welcome as he returned home Monday after winning a gold medal at the London Olympics. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
/ AP

People cheer upon the arrival of Venezuelan fencer Ruben Limardo, not in picture, to Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Aug. 6, 2012. Limardo has received a hero's welcome upon his return home after winning a gold medal at the London Olympics. At right, an image of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)— AP

People cheer upon the arrival of Venezuelan fencer Ruben Limardo, not in picture, to Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Aug. 6, 2012. Limardo has received a hero's welcome upon his return home after winning a gold medal at the London Olympics. At right, an image of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
/ AP

Venezuelan fencer Ruben Limardo, center, gestures to the crowd during a welcoming caravan in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Aug. 6, 2012. Limardo has received a hero's welcome upon his return home after winning a gold medal at the London Olympics. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)— AP

Venezuelan fencer Ruben Limardo, center, gestures to the crowd during a welcoming caravan in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Aug. 6, 2012. Limardo has received a hero's welcome upon his return home after winning a gold medal at the London Olympics. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
/ AP

Gold medalist fencer Ruben Limardo returned home to Venezuela to find dozens of cheering fans waiting for him at the airport with flags and balloons.

Limardo's gold medal was Venezuela's first since boxer Francisco "Morochito" Rodriguez won the light flyweight division in the 1968 games. Rodriguez was among the crowd that welcomed Limardo at the airport.

President Hugo Chavez announced last week that he will present Limardo with the country's highest honor, the Order of the Liberator, and will give him a replica of a sword once used by South American independence hero Simon Bolivar.

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